Postage-stamp-affixing machine.



C. ELLIOT.

POSTAGE STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLIGATIOH FILED DBO. 9, 1907.

Patented May 4, 1909.

2 SHEETS-411E111: 1.

WITNESSES:

I l l l l a l I r l I I I l l l I I I l l I l l I I l I l l I G. ELLIOT.POSTAGE STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE. APPLICATION mum 1120.9(1901:

Patented May 4, 1909.

2 BKEETE-SHBE'K 2.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ws\\\\\\\\\x\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ tion ofmy apparatus, with the strips, may

CHARLES ELLIOT, OF ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA.

POSTAGE-STAMP-AFFIXING MACHINE- To all (i /(Um it may cnnrern:

Be it known that l, (Tuuums ELuo'r, e citizen of Great Britain, residingrt Manuela, in the county of Almuoclzr nil-l Slate of (aliforniu, haveinvented nrw and useful [in- Speciflcation of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 9, 1907.

Patented May 4, 1909.

Serial No. 405,799.

" the travel of the (nun over The roller, and adprovcments inPostage-Shmpflllixing Mnchines, of which the tion.

My invention relates to an apparatus for ailixing postzw -stmups tolatte-rs, eireulnrs, packages, an combination of mechanism on:construction, which will he m re phrincd by reference to theiu-couumnying drawings, in which Figure l is a longitudinnl sectionalelevamul condition. Fig. 2 is a plan YllW of the same. Fig. 3 is an endview and partial section. Fig. 4 1s a longitudinal section showing thestamping head disposed in operative os'rtion.

It is the object means for delivering, detaching from bulk, wetting andaffixing postage-shrimps to letters, circulars, and the like, bymechanism contained in a. suitable case, and actuated from the outsideby means of a handle, layer, or other means, so that the zn'tirles to bestamped are simply placed in push ion upon a. smal table attached to theease, and by revolution of the handle of the mnchine, or dereesion of anequivalent lever, the mechanram is actuated to complete the 0 oration.

The mechanism which 1 amp oy may he partly inelosed in an exterior caseA.

a. "ts in non,

of 'my, invention to provide 2 is a. drum upon which the stznupi, inlong he conveniently soiled, the stamps having perforations :ztjthvirjunction, and being gumuwd upon one side in the usual manner. inrenditions for zipplimitioh.

3 in a table of any suit-Able constructi n and substantially in linewith the journzrlod drum 2, and over t his l-nblv thrli1ieol'st:unp.-;is (mused to pass. 'lhe ope-rut ion of moving the Htzunps over the tableis ell'ertcd by :r segmental toothed mm 4 mounted up n a. shaft 5, whichmay be turned by men-us of :1 crank or equivalent operating device 6.

B ne-nth the tnble nnd projecting; sufl re edge of a Sta-DIE beingreceived roller, that t between the two will be pu through n, slottedopening therein, is :r

h-llowin is spcciliruvnneed to a p int where it may he were-d fromtlrc'line of connected Stitlllllr. hv means f ZE-I'Uttll' blade 5pivoted so as to move trnnm'ersely across the line of travel of thestamps, said cutter blade being normally held up in the pressure of avspring upon the 4 :ehin the pivot point, or in l-l:uio [S derenr :xten nother suitihlenuumrr: :in-l the pressed by means of :1 (u-uo {1 carriedupon,

l the like: and it Consists in a l m dctnil of fully exand turnzrhie inunimn with, tl lHlVlIlg an anti-friction roller on the (ram point."lheflinovmuent of thesopnrts is in such relation that when the line ofconnected i l E g i l l l stumps ha been advanced so that one ieprojected beyond thev acts to depress the end of a lever 16. which inturn pr cQ I- upon the uter and raise'l end of theIknifc HI-:de', so asto do )rcss it, and sever the stain'p in the manner ol :1 pair ofshears.

A transparent :ilnte of gloss, mice, or other suitable mutcri 3 may hefixed sulliciently above thetuble ,Zito allow the stamps to mss betweenthe two, and be protertvd rom lev through tlllS.

above. An opening is mm superposed plate at a point where the com 4 isdepressed to engage 'nlllll the roller 7, andunother o )ening is inn-:letranavmsoly through the plate and table to r: curve the points ofretaining devices, to he hereafter described.

iv shalt nn-f rotting blade, the corn 5) I In printing stomps it is.found that considerable irregularity exists, so that some stomps arelonger than others, and if the advance of the stamps is not in some wayregulated, they will in time he moved to such it point that the knife orcutter will sever the stamps at points hioh mny'he across the body of :1stump and not on the line of the perforntionc thus iuutiluting ordestroying the value of the stump. In order to prevent this, l haveshown :1. series of spring-toothed wires or pins ll. 'lhcsc wires arehere shown an. lying horiz ntally, and :ihove the line of travel of andthe ends of the wires are hr-nl thostem, 1, down substantlzrll at rightangles, as shou n at l 1 so that these points may pass through thetransverse lot in the plate previously referred to, when required. Abovethe wires 11 is fulcrumed a. yoke having an arm 12 ext-ending forwardlyand normally drawn downward by a coiled spring or like device 13..Across the yoke and beneath the spring arms 11 is a rod or bar 14, andthis rod or bar is drawn down ed forward by Z 'ith the yoke and thelever arm at the prope lOU i Q I I 920,844

' time, so that the spring arms 11 are released, l ries the stampalfixim plate'2l, which has a and the downturried points 11 are. allowed1 thick, compressible s e 21* upon its lower to rest upon the surface ofthe stamp. i surface; and this corresponds with a similar 15 is a camfixed upon the shaft with compressible surface 22 upon the table 16.

5 such relation to the feed cam 4 that it engages 1 In order to applythe stamp with an elastic 10.

the lever arm 12 and normally raises the'lepressure, and to compensatefor different ver, the oke, and the transverse rod 14, and thicknessesof'letters, I have shown the arm with it t 1c teeth 11", so that whenthe cam 4 l 20 of the plunger actuating lever as having engageswiththelineof stamps,thcre is nothl a s ring extension 2'3 which passesdown ing to revcnt the stamps from being ad- 3 behind the actuatingshaft 5, so that the 75 vane-ed etween the cam and the r ller 7, assiriugr '24 within the casing' 18, actin to lift previously described.The length of the i the plunger and the lever arm 20, wi 1 bring cam issuch that the line will bc advanced St 2 the end of this s wing arm 23into contact as to project a. single stamp beyond the cutwith the shaft,which acts as a stop to limit ting blade 8, and the dcprc sion of thiscutthe normal upward movemcntof the plunger. 80 tin blade,asdcscribed,will scvcr thestzunp. E A crank arm or cam 25 fixed upon the11 order to correct any irregularities in thef shaft 5 is revolved withsuch relation to the length of the stamps, and the distances la-- lmovement of the parts:heretofore described, tween the perforationswhich'mail; the line that it will engage the s ringf33, and through ofseparation of the stamps, the cam 15 rc it will tilt the bcll-cran 4lever 20, thus forc- 85 leases the lever arm 12, and thc \'-ll\t-,allowi ing the plunger and the stamping surface 21 ing them to be drawndown by th action of down upon the stamp. and the latter uponthe sprin"l3, thus rclicving the spring arms thc lcttcr or package to which it istq-be 11 and allowing them to descend so that th f applied; and theyielding of the spring 23 25 points 11 will rest up'on' thc surl'ar-c ofeach causing: an increasing and elastic pressure 90 stamp just before.the perforations have similar to that applied by the thumb, to reachedthe line of these p ints. The spring lirmly allix the stamp, and at thesame time arms being slender and indcpcnh nt of each f allo\\in; for thevarying thicknesses of letpther, it will be seen that as soon as th pcr-1 l rs or pa kages to which the stamp is to be fora-tions have reachedthe line f these applied. 'l'h:= continued revolution of the 95 points11 some of the wilds will drop into shaft carries the crank arm 25 outof conthe perforations, and will thus arrest the line I tact with thespring arm 33, and thus reof stamps so that a col-res iondingz line ofperlicving the danger, allows -.the stamp head forations will bepresenter sullicicntlv in line to rise to allow another stamp to passhewith the. knife to insure the. severing f the neath it. I I 100advanced stamp, on, or closely contiguous F in order to properly moistenthe letter,

to, the line of perforations; the variation not and to provide acontinuoussupply of moisocing suliicient to be important, as bctwcenturc. l have shown a water receptacle 26 located at one side of the pathof the stamps the. two or three stamps thus projected: sir-:2 40 byreason of the. adjustment at each time, and the affixing plunger. lulcrumcd wit X05 there will be no accumulation of errors suilieient tocause the difficulty previously 1' 'ferred to. I

As soon as the stamp has been severed, the cutter bar released, and theadvancing, cam

having passed the roller, and the cam 15 having released the level arm12, the spring wires 11 with their points will be raised so as to freethe line of stamps, and to allow the feed com to again not and advancethe line.

Thus the stamps will be constantly advanc d f in suflicient and evenlysevered, in condition for being I tohe stamped Beneath this receptacleand applied to the letteror package. This appli- 1 the outer end of thesiphon tube is a. gridcation takes lace upon a table or surface. 16 1composed of upper wires 28 and lower wires located just iieneath thepoint at which the 28', these wires being so disposed that the 120ndvanccdstamp is positioned to be. severed end of a letter may nassbetween the upper by the cutter. 'lhe stamp is applied by and lower setand ieueat-h the moistened mcansof a verticallyrecipromtingandguidedsurface of the wicking; and this allows'the bar 17, here shown asslidable in a tube or end of the lcttcr to be sufficiently moistened,sleeve 18, and having a pin VJ projecting I so that when the stamp ispressed upon it, 125

through the. slot in the side of the tube, and i it will adhere.'engaged by one arm of a bell-crank lever 20 i In order to prevcpt theljow of moisture suitably fulcrumed at its angle to some part 3 when thea iparatus is not reuse, and also to of the. case A, or other convcuicntMIPPIHL cut off all ow. l have shown atransversely The lower cnd of thestem or plunger 17 ca rl movable gate 29, the movement of which 15 130 lin this receptacle is a siphon-shaped tube 27,

i which is here shown as adapted to contain a.

{ wiclcing, audhaving suiiicient breadth in one 5 direction to receivethe width of the wicking,

I and sufficient de )th transversely to receive its thickness. hissiphon-slur ed tube is l curved, as shown, the outer em beingsufliciently lower than the innerone so that i water may passslowlvtlu-ough the wickin l by capillarv attraction and siphonage, an

uantity to moisten the article effected and controlled by means of ascrew i and spring-pressed .stcni Cit) paving through i a yoke 31 whichextends (10. 5 above the upper portion of the siphon tube '27. ini ledor corrugated dish 1'2 is turnalile upon the screw threads, and a spring33-? act n r mall to raise the pressure plate. When the milled head isturned in the pi'cpcr direction thi plate is forced down againfit theieiisiu!) ol' the spring. and thus coinpressw the itil- Eng; in the tubeto such an extent that it will I n t act either as a siphon or bycapillary attracti n to such an extent to ause the z n'icisturc to drip.At the same time, the

uicliinu will remain a llicientlv HlHlHi to oc- I ready for use at anytime. and the prewurc i oi the gate may be released \i'licncv r: ch ofletters is to be stamped. so as to t'uinish a sullicient and unlailun,suppl oi inohture.

Although I have licrctol'oi'e t PlH'l'lll' i my a paratus as especiallyadapted for separating; and allixin; stamps, it will be underst od thatit may be applied for labels: or any like art icles which it is desiredto Separate and 1 aliir; in a similar manner: and it-will be understoodthat such labels inav be applied to bottles, or other articles thanletters or f at packages, without materially altering: the constructionsherein described.

'hen the apparatus is out of use, it will only be necessary to tilt ti esiphon so that it will stand in a horizontal position, when allftl'ltloll will cease. It may be restored to activity again by restoriii; itto its normal position with the legs vertical.

In rder to keep a record of the stamps used, I ina employ a registeringapparatus, as 40. which is: actuated at each revolution ottlifishalfiand segment b v which the stamps are advanced, and anysuitable recording tlt-- vice will keep the account. I

Having thus described my invention, what i I claim and desire to secureby Letters Pati eat is- -l. In an apparatus of the character de-';scribed, a means for supplying stamps or laheels in continuous strips, atable having a am '2 perposed sheet or surface f()['I1llH,I a space bc-I tween the twothroug h which the strip is} passed, a ositively drivenshaft journaled and turna ile in line above said opening, a i corrugatedsegment mounted upon the shaft having a peripheral length equal to thead 5 vance required of the strip. an ()PJllillfl in the up 1' suit'acethrough which thcisegnientasses in its revolution, and a corrugated pin-1 ion journaled below the table having its upper surface suflicientlyabove the table to (30- act with the segmentand advance, this strip.

" In an apparatus 01 the character described, a table with a su ierposedsurface between which and the table tlio sti'ips'arc ad- 1 vanced, ashaftournaled tranm cisely above the table, a corrugated faced negnienttixed I to the shaft and having :i-length equal to i to pas over saidtable, a 'revo and a (Utit'llllgl roller. lietueen which the beencompleted each required advance at th strip, an openbeneath the tablehaving: its ii ipcr surface projecting throinih an pening i litlt'iti tocoact ith the segment and advance the i-tripa tlleitdtt equal to thelength oi the segment, and nit-am l'oi' arrc t iii the stripeat theterniiiiatioii of each advan e 3 in an :XPPIHIIHN of the character devwi'ibeil. a table, means for an ipl \'iii strips luble segment stri arepassed. and by l'.l('ll they are anvuiiemi a distan e equal to thelength oi tho ineiii. means l'or ccuali/in; the advance th str I. saidmeans. including \ltlliflpressed teeth or poin s adapted to cu -age thetranaversc lines (it holes iii the strip and arrc t itv after eachadvance, and a cutter vvherc'zrv the pro iectiiigf end ol' the strip isI severed. A

l. in an apiaratus of the character de- .-.-:rihcil. a tab 0, means forsupplying: and iiitcrinitteiatly advanciii; perforated st; i or labclsacro said table nieans'fs'irarresting Lin: stri} 52ml IiltEl-HSincluii'm'gl springpressed po'nta, said point; pressing on the. strip offilfiillpf-l iii-engage the {l':)li$\'9l'50 per- I for-ations of thestrip ai'ter an advance has and means for raising and I relca irn saidpi, ts to release the strip for further advance.

5. ln an apparatus of the rliaract-er described, a. table, means forsupplying stamps or the like in strips, means for intermittentlyadvancing the atrips across the table. means for regulating: the advancemeans for sever: ing the stamps, means for inoistening the siu'iace towhich the stamp is to be allixed, and means for a )plying the severedstamp to the surface. said means consisting of a. vertically reciprocalpressure plate, a belt-crank lever fiilcrumed at its angle and having anelastic arm. and a crank revoluble to engage said arm and depress thepressure plate, salt elastic arm producing a yielding and increasingpressure upon the stamp.

6. in an a'q'iaratus' of the character desc bed, a tab 9, means forsupplying: .stam s or the like in strips, means for advancing t e stripsacross the table and regulating the amount of advance, a cutterlay-which each projected stamp is severed, a table adopted 1 to receivethe surface upon which the stamp is to be. applied, a vertically-movablespringretracted plunger having an elastic pressure plate verticallyabove the table and the severed stamp, and means for producing ayielding pressure a on the stamp, said means consisting of a in cruniedbell-crank lever,

one end of which engages the plunger, said lever having one elastic arm,and a. revoluble crank engaging said arm to depress the plunger andpressure plate, and to produce 9.

yielding and increasing pressure upon thel 9. In an apparatus of thecharacter dest-amp. scribed, means for supplying stamps or the :19 7. Inan apparatus of the character delike in strips, intermittently advancingsaid scribed, means for supplying and advancing strips and severing thestamps, a table upon stamps or the like in continuous strips and whichthe envelo i or surface to be stamped severing said stanz sintermittently, a table, 3 is passed beneat the stamp; a pressure meansfor guiding envelops or surfaces to means by which the stamp is ap liedto the 35 which the stamp is to be applied, means for envelop, and'means for previous y moistenmoistening said surfaces, said meansineluding the envelop, said means consising of a '10 in a container, anda curved si )hon tube water container, andabent or siphon-shapedcontaining a wick, one end of said tube diptube containing a, substancethrough which ing into the water container, and the other the water maypass by ca illary attraction, n in the line over which the envelop ispassed said tube being, fUlCl'tUllCtF to the container to a positionbeneath the stamp. and adapted to tilt so that its arms are in a 1.3' 8.In an apparatus of the character de'- substantially horizontal position,and the scribed, means for advancing, registering, flow of moisture.arrested, or to stand in a i and severing stamps or the likeintermitvertical position with one end dipping into 45 tently, a tableupon which an envelop or surthe water, and the other in the line ofmovefaee is presented to reeeivethe severed stamp, ment of the envelopto the point where the :0 means for moistening said surface, said stampis to be applied.

means consisting of guides for the emelop, In testimony whereof I havehereunto set a siphon tube adapted to contain a porous my hand inpresence ot,t\vo subscribing wit- 5.) wick, a water container to whichthe siphon nesses.

is fulcrumed, with one end immersed and the t v a I i A 1' other endcontiguous to the tableover which N ELLI )1 the envelop is passed, and agate for regu- \Vitnesses: lating or arresting the flow of water throughCHARLES AJPENFIELD,

the wick. S. H. NoURsE.

